New bridges, new schools, roadworks, and repair and construction of seawalls are among the “critical” projects that the government will focus on in the upcoming year, according to Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister’s contribution to the Mid-Term Budget Debate March 19, 2018.

Minister Bannister said there is much to be done in the Family Islands and his Ministry “eagerly” embraces the challenge.

He said that he will visit Exuma, Grand Bahama and MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay), during April to continue the fact-finding exercise in order to plan for the “heavy lifting” required to maintain the country.

The following are included in the shortlist of projects:

• Construction of bridges in Fresh Creek, Staniard Creek and Stafford Creek. New bridges will be built where required to replace the dangerous structures.
• Roadworks to create culverts on the Highway in North Abaco.
• Corrective works to the Dune Road in Hope Town, and for the bridge in Spanish Wells.
• Engineering studies on the Glass Window Bridge in order to commence plans for the building of a new bridge in Eleuthera.
• Construction of an airport in Long Island and in North Eleuthera
• Phased seawall construction and repair in West End, Hunters and Hepburn Town, Grand Bahama, in the upcoming budget year; and Bartlett Hill, Hanna Town, Martin Town and High Rock in 2020; and Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, Mack Town, Williams Town, Jones Town and Mcleans Town.
• Begin the process for building schools on Carmichael Road in New Providence, Inagua, and Gregory Town, Eleuthera.

Bannister said there is a list of “ambitious” challenges to fix and the Ministry has begun to fix many of the things that require attention.